In response to Jim Teresco's posting, the field for next year's ('92) tourney
will include RPI, Clarkson, UMass-Lowell, and Providence. As many fans
commented after last Saturday's game at Houston Field House, "At least they're
all Div. 1 teams..."
RPI played well against St. Lawrence in the championsip round, and the game was
closer than the score would indicate. RPI's goaltending was strong for most of
the game, although St. Lawrence's Spagnoletti came up with several big game
saves, the only RPI goal going to Craig Hamelin who stole a pass and walked in
all alone..there was no St. Lawrence defenseman within 20 feet. Aside, SLU
showed why they are #2 in ECAC with their crisp passing, excellent defense,
and superb goaltending. This win was SLU 9th straight at Houston Field House,
so clearly they are undaunted by noisemakers or other home-ice advantages that
would favor RPI. The only sour point of the game was the officiating..the ref
was ECAC's Murphy, who was very quick with the whistle on Spagnloetti covering
the puck. He also blew the whistle when a SLU defenseman dropped to his knees
deep in his own zone...he wasn't down for more than 2-3 seconds before play
stopped, but later in that period, RPI's Allen Kummu took a high stick and
fell to the ice. He rolled over 4 times, but Murphy didn't see the play..
meanwhile, an SLU player (think it was one of the Lappin Bros.) broke in on
Little to score a shorthanded goal that put SLU up 3-1. The play did not stop
until the goal was scored, when clearly it should have at the point where
Kummu lay injured. Unfortunately, that goal broke RPI's back in the game, as
SLU cruised on to score a late goal, making the final 4-1.
 
-Sid